Features Bear Island, a 3-mile-long barrier island accessible by ferry or kayak. Offers pristine beaches with limited development, primitive camping, and excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and stargazing.
North Carolina Beaches
Avon Beach
Located on Hatteras Island, Avon offers wide beaches with good fishing conditions and water sports. Features Avon Pier, rental homes, and proximity to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Known for windsurfing and kiteboarding.
Currituck Beach
Home to the historic red-brick Currituck Beach Lighthouse and the Whalehead Club. Features a mix of developed beaches with amenities and remote 4×4-accessible areas. Known for its natural beauty and wild horses.
Coquina Beach
Part of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, featuring the remains of the Laura A. Barnes shipwreck. Known for wide, uncrowded beaches with bathhouse facilities, and excellent for shell collecting and ghost crab hunting at night.
Salter Path Beach
Historic fishing village on Bogue Banks with a more local, authentic feel. Features less development, uncrowded beaches, and access to both the ocean and Bogue Sound. Known for its maritime history and local seafood.
Ocracoke Beach
Named one of America’s best beaches, Ocracoke features 16 miles of pristine shoreline with soft sand and clear water. This remote beach offers a quieter experience and is accessible only by ferry. Famous for its historic lighthouse and wild ponies.
Wrightsville Beach
A vibrant beach town with crystal-clear waters and spacious shores. Popular with surfers, paddleboarders, and families. Features a scenic harbor, beach volleyball, and a lively downtown with restaurants and shops.
Nags Head Beach
One of the Outer Banks’ most popular destinations, featuring 11 miles of shoreline, the famous Jennette’s Pier, and nearby Jockey’s Ridge State Park with the East Coast’s largest sand dune. Dotted with beach cottages and family-friendly attractions.
Carolina Beach
A classic beach town with a vintage boardwalk featuring rides, games, and food. Known for its casual atmosphere, fishing opportunities at Carolina Beach State Park, and the nearby Freeman Park for 4×4 beach driving.
Emerald Isle
A family-oriented beach town on the Crystal Coast with 12 miles of pristine shoreline. Known for its emerald-colored waters, uncrowded beaches, and vacation rentals. Features bike paths, golf courses, and water activities.